Protests And Assembly
Wis. Stat. 947.06 — failing to withdraw from an assembly known to have been ordered to disperse is a Class A misdemeanor
What an unlawful assembly is. An assembly of 3 or more persons that causes such a disturbance of public order that it is reasonable to believe it will cause injury to persons or damage to property unless immediately dispersed. It includes an assembly that in fact blocks or obstructs others' lawful use of a thoroughfare or property, or access to or from a building.
Failing to withdraw. Officers may order everyone in an unlawful assembly to disperse. Intentionally failing or refusing to withdraw from an unlawful assembly the person knows has been ordered to disperse is a Class A misdemeanor.
On a campus. On the property of a public institution of higher education, the offense is failing to withdraw promptly after an order given so that the person can reasonably be expected to hear or read it, and a student or employee may be suspended for up to 6 months instead of, or as well as, a sentence.
The right to assemble and to speak comes from the state and federal constitutions, and permits for marches and the use of public places are set by local rules; neither is on this page. Whether a particular order was lawful, or a particular gathering unlawful, is a question of fact and law for a licensed Wisconsin attorney.
Sources for this section (1)
- Wis. Stat. 947.06 — Unlawful assemblies and their suppression
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Wisconsin attorney.